A sticker cutline is the path the cutter follows. A border is the visible space between the artwork and the cutline. For most custom sticker sheets, use at least a 2 mm visible border, keep important artwork 2 mm inside the cutline, and leave at least 4 mm between neighbouring sticker cutlines.
The technical path that tells production where each sticker should be cut.
The visible outline between the artwork and the cutline, often white or a brand colour.
Use 2 mm inside the cutline for important details and at least 4 mm between neighbouring stickers.
Cutline, border, bleed, and safe zone
These terms describe different parts of sticker artwork. The cutline is where the cutter travels. The border is the visible space around the art. Bleed is artwork that extends beyond the cutline to avoid white slivers. The safe zone is the area where important details should stay.
For kiss-cut sheets, the cutline sits around each individual sticker, while the backing sheet remains intact.
| Term | Meaning | Stickiva starting point |
|---|---|---|
| Cutline | Path the cutter follows | Smooth path around each sticker |
| Border | Visible space around artwork | At least 2 mm for most designs |
| Bleed | Artwork beyond cut edge | Useful for full-colour edge designs |
| Safe zone | Area for important details | Keep text and faces 2 mm inside |
| Sheet spacing | Gap between sticker cutlines | At least 4 mm |
How wide should a sticker border be?
A 2 mm border is a good default for most small and medium stickers. Tiny stickers may need a slightly simpler border because the whole sticker is small. Large laptop or bottle stickers can use wider borders for a more graphic look.
White borders are popular because they separate the artwork from any surface colour. Brand-colour borders can work well for packaging labels, but make sure the colour has enough contrast.
Make the cutline smooth
A good cutline simplifies the artwork outline. It should not trace every strand of fur, tiny leaf, or rough pixel. Smooth cutlines peel better, look more professional, and reduce the chance of fragile points lifting.
For pet stickers and hand-drawn artwork, let the border absorb the detail. Keep the cutline friendly and rounded.
Spacing between stickers
Crowded sheets are harder to cut and peel. Leave at least 4 mm between cutlines, and more if the stickers have pointed shapes or thick borders.
If you need more stickers on the sheet, reduce the number of tiny decorative pieces before reducing spacing. Usable stickers matter more than raw count.
FAQs
Do stickers always need a white border?
No. Stickers can use white, coloured, transparent, or full-bleed edges. A visible border is often safest for detailed art and photo stickers.
What is a kiss-cut line?
A kiss-cut line is a cutline that goes through the sticker material but not through the backing sheet.
How close can stickers be on a sheet?
Use at least 4 mm between cutlines for most custom sticker sheets. More space is better for complex shapes.